On the same BBC programme, Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg appeared to attempt to link the Irish Government's position on Brexit to the recent internal political crisis involving Frances Fitzgerald - despite Minister Coveney now having taken over as Tánaiste.

Mr Rees-Mogg - a 'Tory traditionalist' and prominent opponent of the EU - claimed: "Irish politics are quite complicated at the moment... there's a vote of no confidence in the deputy prime minister, they are worried about an election.

"I think the Irish border has become a matter of immediate political concern in the run-up to a potential general election and the strength of Sinn Féin."

A number of British publications have made similar claims in recent weeks.